Will Steinman New Look Pink Blue Strapless Back Bow Ballerina Dress - XS, 1950s
By Will Steinman
Located in Tucson, AZ
measurements: bust: 31” underbust / ribcage: 29” waist: 24” bodice length: 8” hips: free skirt length: 32” total length: 40” sweep: 130” (underskirt), 220” (petticoat), 23...
Sold
Size: none; comparable to size S
Will Steinman Pink Strapless Asymmetrical Lace Wedding Ball Gown - Small, 1950s
By Will Steinman
Located in Tucson, AZ
fabric: acetate taffeta, tulle and lace noteworthy: dry clean only alterations: reattached ruffles where necessary condition: very good - excellent with light creasing on taffeta bo...
Sold
Size: none; comparable to size XS
Will Steinman Strapless Gold Metallic Brocade Ball Gown w Rear Bow – XS, 1950s
By Will Steinman
Located in Tucson, AZ
fabric: gold and silver metallic brocade, nylon taffeta, tulle noteworthy: dry clean only alterations: none condition: excellent measurements: bust: 32” underbust: 28” waist: 25...
$495
Size: one size; compare to size M
Bohème Rust Mohair Sweater Dress Popover and Midi Skirt Set - M, 1970s
Located in Tucson, AZ
A member of the Royal Society of Arts, fiber artist Kay Cosserat was one of the most prominent and decorated knitwear designers of the 20th century. Her untimely death left few piece...
Halston 1970's Purple Fuchsia Linen Halter Dress
By Halston
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Signature simple, yet effective, 1970's silhouette from Halston. Luscious linen in a vibrant shade of grape purple. Elegant and figure-flattering Marilyn Monroe-esque fit and flare ...
Paco Rabanne Paris Black Leather Shoulder Bag 1980s
By Paco Rabanne
Located in University City, MO
Paco Rabanne Paris Black leather shoulder bag c 1980s The classic saddle style shoulder bag is covered in supple black leather. Designed with twin leather shoulder straps The fron...
Wonderful 1990s Vintage Katherine Hamnett Black Velvet Wiggle Dress w/ Beads
By KATHERINE HAMNETT
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful vintage Katherine Hamnett black velvet dress, with intricate beading detail at neck (in front and back), that makes for a bib-like effect. Rayon/Silk blend. The perfect lit...
Dolce&Gabbana Dress Lace Inset Deep V Neck Superb Fit 44 / 8
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offes a guaranteed authentic Dolce&Gabbana versatile black dress with lace insets. Chic little black dress has the prettiest lace inset at sweetheart neckline. Lace hin...
Green Crystal Panther Head Tassel Necklace c. 1990s
Located in University City, MO
Opulent green crystal panther head tassel necklace c. 1990s The elegant necklace is adorned with a feline head encrusted with rows of tiny pave' green crystals The eyes are distingu...
Silver Plate
New Gucci Shearling GG Guccissima Logo Boots Sz 10
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Gucci Shearling Boots RARE & Brand New! * Chocolate Color Shearling * U.S. Size: 10 * Super Soft Suede Merino Lambskin Shearling * GG Logo Throughout Shearling! * 1" Front Platfo...
$1,095
Size: Small - Large
1970s Yves Saint Laurent Russian Collection Lipstick Red Boho Peasant Blouse Top
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and collectible vintage 70s YSL Rive Gauche cotton peasant shirt from the infamous 1976 RUSSIAN COLLECTION! Features a lightweight textured cotton that looks fantastic on! Boat ...
1980s Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Houndstooth Skirt Suit
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Wool houndstooth skirt and jacket Black and white Made in France Two lined side pockets Two grey buttons Black silk lining Skirt back vent Two skir...
$365
Size: vintage FR 38 (US 6)
Yves Saint Laurent Runway Antique Pink Cotton Gypsy Blouse, Spring-Summer 1983
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Geneva, CH
Early 80’s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche runway (see picture 2) gypsy blouse. Constructed in antique pink satin cotton, the peasant tunic features three-quarter full sleeves that ga...
1970s Halston Couture Black Silk Chiffon Beaded Long Sleeve Vintage 70s Dress
By Halston
Located in San Diego, CA
Exceptional vintage 70s HALSTON Couture black silk chiffon beaded dress and sash belt or head scarf! Features a separate black silk chiffon slip with three layers of chiffon and nude...
Thierry Mugler Color Block Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful body conscious purple dress trimmed in black velvet by Thierry Mugler. It has short sleeves, a sweetheart neckline and is semi fitted with princess seaming through to th...
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche 1980s Vintage Black Strapless Peplum Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic, and utterly classic 1980s YVES SAINT LAURENT 'Rive Gauche' black silk and linen blend strapless peplum dress! Features luxurious silk and linen blend that holds a nice shape wh...
New $2700 Tom Ford Bead-embellished Black Velvet High Heel Boots 39.5 - 9.5
By Tom Ford
Located in Montgomery, TX
Luxury, glamour and sophistication are bywords for world-renowned designer TOM FORD. Designer size 39.5 - US 9.5 Black velvet, Bead embellished square toe, Silver-trimmed heel 4.25 i...
Vicky Tiel Black Jersey Cocktail Dress with Sequin Detail Size 38
By Vicky Tiel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Vicky Tiel cocktail dress is composed of a black viscose and rayon blend jersey. There are gathers throughout and a sequin detail (silver and black) at the hem. The bodice featu...
1970s Lorris Azzaro Black Rayon Crepe One-Shoulder Sequin Panel Pleated Gown
By Loris Azzaro
Located in Gresham, OR
1970s Lorris Azzaro black pleated rayon crepe one-shoulder gown with structured sequin bow at shoulder, sequined skirt with high side slit and rayon crepe draped with a sunburst effe...
With entire museum exhibitions dedicated to examining fashion designers and their creations, we’re finally recognizing that costuming is art. Evening dresses over time have conveyed specific statements about social class, position and beliefs. Fashion is a powerful means of self-expression, and sophisticated vintage evening dresses and gowns by our favorite couturier play no small role in making us feel wonderful but, perhaps more importantly, making us feel like ourselves.
In the 16th century, dresses and gowns were so important that England's Queen Elizabeth I defined rules about what dresses women could wear — guidance included long skirts and fitted bodices. Forward-thinking designers have responded to this history.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel reimagined traditionally masculine garments for feminine shapes, and her elegant evening dresses and gowns promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by layers of fabric. Christian Dior's gowns celebrated luxury and femininity in the late 1940s — and gave to women the gift of glamour they’d lost in the miserable years of the war. French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent introduced innovative and highly coveted dress designs in the 1960s while at the same time challenging sexist stereotypes about which members of society could wear tuxedos.
Works by unconventional British designer John Galliano — featured in houses like Givenchy and Dior — redefined limits that dressmakers faced in terms of material, construction and vision during the late 20th century. From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless Dior newspaper dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably collectible and newsworthy
Today’s designers target an increasingly broad audience with their boundary-crossing work, and their tendency to play off of each other’s ideas means that every walk down the runway is also a walk through an entire history of fashion design and dress craftsmanship.
Whether you gravitate toward backless maxi dresses or silk charmeuse gowns by Alexander McQueen or embellished, ruffled floral-print designs by Chloe or Versace, there is an extraordinary collection of vintage and designer evening dresses and gowns waiting for you on 1stDibs.